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Project Overview
Reconnection and Reintegration of Central and Eastern European migrants
Purpose of Project Proposal
The proposal is for a reconnection and reintegration programme of Central and Eastern
European migrants experiencing homelessness in Dublin City to their homeland and their
sustainable reintegration therein.
The proposal is a joint initiative between Dublin City Council, Mendicity Institution
(Charitable Trust) and Barka (Polish NGO).
The Barka Foundation is a non-governmental organisation; its purpose is social
development of marginalized groups, giving them a chance to rebuild their lives by creating
a programme of mutual assistance, education, entrepreneurship and development of civil
society. Barka has focused its efforts on the new accession countries and the countries
which have been regaining independence.
The Mendicity Institution is one of Dublin's oldest charities, established in 1818. During its
life-span, it has always worked towards the relief of poverty in the city. As the social
organisation of poverty altered, the Institution has had to adapt to meet the current needs
of a changing clientele and is actively engaged with the destitute migrant population.
Background
The proposal emerges as a significant and timely next step from the decision to provide
designated emergency accommodation at Charlemont St. for non Irish nationals in July
2011, and to provide the opportunity for an agreed interagency cooperation to be
established between Dublin City Council (DCC), Crosscare, Depaul Ireland, and the New
Communities Unit Department of Social Protection (DSP), which is focused on a target group
of migrants consistently presenting in homeless services.
The outcome has established a significant cohort of people previously presenting through
the Dublin City Council Homeless Night Bus service into a variety of locations on a nightly
basis.
It has also presented for first time a detailed profile of the migrant group and their
experience in homelessness. The dominant groupings are those from Central and Eastern
Europe, who have suffered most from economic crisis particularly with the collapse of
construction activity. It is evident that many persons have been experiencing homelessness
for in excess of two years.

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It has been most effective in compiling detailed information on majority of residents with
their consent, establishing status and entitlements and referrals to DSP for further action
and decision. There have been positive outcomes for a number of residents also in this
regard, which can enable further supported intervention towards an exit from
homelessness.
However with regard to those residents primarily Central and Eastern Europeans, who are
not compliant with the Habitual Residence Condition (HRC), and who have no visible means
of support they - are not in a position to sustain their future in Ireland.
Pilot Programme
Agreement was reached to put in place a six month pilot programme with Barka Poland and
Mendicity Institution for a joint initiative with DCC on a programme of intervention,
reconnection and reintegration for the target resident group that were in Charlemont St and
who subsequently relocated to North Frederick Street.
Sharing the information resource already established and available from DCC/Crosscare
/Depaul Ireland presented an opportunity for Barka to engage quickly with potential clients
and establish rapport.
The target outcome is the reconnection of 20 people over a six month period concentrating
resources on the North Frederick Street target population. In addition, where possible and
where resources allow, engagement with other migrants experiencing homelessness
beyond North Frederick Street was also to be achieved.
The role and visibility of the Mendicity Trust Centre is equally important as many of the
residents of North Frederick Street access meals and support and this provides a very
positive environment for engagement.
The primary objective is to successfully secure reconnection and reintegration of migrant
who are experiencing homelessness to their homeland. The success or otherwise will be
measured by the numbers achieved in this regard, which will be viewed with interest by all
concerned and may provide a platform for a more sustained programme at wider city level.
The economic and social argument was self evident, providing an opportunity for effective
cooperation between the local authority and other - state agencies to address common
problem.
The proposed programme provided long -term outcomes for those rooted in homelessness,
with no prospect of a future in Ireland other than what is currently being experienced.

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Project Steering Group
A project steering group was set up with key partners on board including DCC, Barka,
Mendicity Trust, Crosscare, Depaul Ireland, DSP and others as necessary.
Mendicity Institution chaired the Project Steering Group and the work of the group
commenced in early January 2012.
The cost of the six month pilot programme with a target outcome of up to 20 individuals
was €68,000.
Mendicity Institution committed €25,000 with matched funding from DCC through Section
10 funding. A balance 0f €18,000 euro was required to fund the programme and for which
DCC sought contribution from the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), which has
responsibility for a migrant repatriation programme on behalf of the DSP. No funding has
been contributed by RIA to date.
Project Outcomes
The key outcome of the pilot phase of the reconnection programme is that it will achieve its
target objective of the reconnection and re-integration of 20 Eastern European nationals to
their homeland or destination of choice.
The programme has demonstrated that the active collaboration of statutory and NGO
partners has contributed to a positive intervention and outcome for a significant cohort of
individuals without an income support who were experiencing destitution and
homelessness and for whom a reliance on continued access to homeless services in the city
offered no sustainable future prospects.
Within the current regulatory context, DCC acts as the provider of ‘last resort’ to those who
have no employment or who have lost employment and do not qualify for welfare support
through non compliance with the HRC. This allied with a complexity of personal issues
including drug and alcohol misuse presents a significant challenge to the local authority
and network agencies to address with meaningful solutions.
The barriers to integration, which migrants generally experience in cities of another
language, access to information and services, access to education, discrimination and racism
can multiply within homeless experience.
The incidence of homelessness among migrants is primarily confined to the city. The
network of social contacts, food centres and accommodation services is concentrated
therein. While the scale of migrant homeless at 10% of that population accessing homeless
services is small in overall terms finding routes out of homelessness can prove even more
difficult than for indigenous population.

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From the outset of establishing migrant specific accommodation in Claremont St. in July
2011 for over 50 individuals managed by Depaul Ireland the policy of containment has been
effective in stabilising migrant homeless presentation, allowing for detailed profiling of
needs, status, entitlements and support options. In addition, with the support of Crosscare,
it provided for active collaboration with New Communities Unit (DSP) to allow
determination of entitlements for individuals assisting move on options to other services or
private rental sector.
Prior to the transition to North Frederick St of 33 individuals in March 2012, the balance of
over 17 individuals had been assisted out of Claremont St. with five non EEA nationals
referred to New Communities Unit for determination and support as necessary.
At this present date (June 16th
2012), 30 individuals remain in North Frederick St., of whom
18 are Polish nationals and remainder are other EU nationals.
The introduction of Barka to implement a reconnection programme from Jan 2012 provided
a further development of the intervention to secure positive outcomes for migrants
experiencing homelessness.
While 50% of individuals reconnected by Barka had contact with emergency
accommodation services during the period, the remainder were primarily engaged with
Mendicity Institution day centre. There are limitations on effective engagement with
individuals in emergency accommodation services because access is limited by opening
hours and also by level of intoxication of clients as they present to services. While the more
beneficial intervention is through day services, the stability of a continuity of residence for
migrants is a positive factor in building relationships, monitoring presentation to services
and influencing future options.
This is reflected in the intensity of contact by Barka team through 2,500 contacts with over
60 individuals in the term of the pilot programme.
The nature of the contact is time intensive, as it requires building trust and confidence with
each individual to influence consideration of the reconnection option.
Creating awareness of the programme among the migrant group and establishing an
affiliation with Barka team has been important in building a momentum to the programme,
which is now more clearly evident.
The cost /benefit analysis would suggest that the programme cost of €68,000 --(- which
indicates a cost per person of €3,400 per successful reconnection is value for money, when
one considers identifiable cost of maintaining an individual in homeless services at minimum
of €20,000 euro per annum (including accommodation, care and support costs, not
including cost impact on other services such as health, prisons, and welfare.)
In addition, the recent study visit to Poland hosted by Barka for programme partners has
confirmed there is network of support services including housing, health, employment,
training and personal development managed by Barka, which supports the reconnection

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and re-integration of returned migrants into the society of origin. It is clear also Barka has
influenced and has the support of the political system in Poland and through its advocacy
efforts, helped to get a new legislative framework in place that facilitates the type of social approach
it has pioneered. The four laws enacted between 2002 and 2006 include the Law on Social
Employment, which provides for education of people of low employability through vocational
schools called Centres of Social Integration. The other laws cover social housing, social cooperatives,
public benefit organisations and volunteerism.
Recommendations
1. Extend programme for a further period of six months subject to agreement with
Barka and Mendicity Institution on commitment and budget. Renew request for
support funding from RIA.
2. Roll over migrant accommodation at Nth Frederick St for a period of three months to
maintain stability and continuity of clients for engagement with Barka and subject to
review of key working intervention of Depaul Ireland with clients on alternative
options to reconnection.
3. Strengthen liaison between Depaul Ireland / Barka/ Dublin Simon Detox and
Rehabilitation, Regional Contact and Outreach Service and the local authority Central
Placement Service on managing placement activity and facilitating transition of
migrants from Camden Hall to North Frederick St as part of programme as vacancies
arise.
4. Prepare communications briefing for media, internal and external stakeholders on
positive outcomes and extension of programme